OIL - What kind for PC components?

Aderes Devorah

Aderes Devorah

Aderes Devorah

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I need to lubricate a sticky fan (graphics card). What lubricant should I use?

Also (assuming that something exists), can this be used for general PC maintenance (e.g. loosening screws)?

Many thanks in advance.

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Generally I think pc fans needs replacing once they develop a problem, I've never heard of someone oiling a pc fan.
 
a drop of 3in1 won't hurt if your too cheap to replace it.
No PC screw should need oil to loosen.

I thought this thread was going to be about submersion!
 
tigerstyle said:
I thought this thread was going to be about submersion!
Click to expand...

Haha same here. is it quite sad that I was a little bit excited about that? :p

You'll be ok with some 3in1 as already mentioned. Just a tiny drop though and if it's a ball bearing fan you may be able to get in the back of it underneath the sticker. Better still, replace the fan if you can find one. If it's sticking it's probably clogged up or quite badly worn so oil isn't going to do a lot.
 
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If something stuck or seized use a penetrating oil such as WD-40 (my personal favorite is Rost Off Ice- fantastic stuff). If you want to lubricate something that is going to move like a fan bearing try Wurth HHS-2000 which is a kind of adhesive grease which is also brilliant.
 
Gundog48 said:
If something stuck or seized use a penetrating oil such as WD-40 (my personal favorite is Rost Off Ice- fantastic stuff). If you want to lubricate something that is going to move like a fan bearing try Wurth HHS-2000 which is a kind of adhesive grease which is also brilliant.
Click to expand...

Did you just suggest a adhesive in his fan? :L
im pretty sure you just want lubricating spray greese, but don't put tom much on!
 
It's not an adhesive, but an adhesive grease. The grease will stick to the surface of the object and will make a good seal between it and the object it is rubbing against, making it a really good lubricator.
 
Oiling a fan is just putting off the inevitable. If the fan has worn to such a point that it's making noise all the oil will do is mask it for a while. Remember that any low viscosity oil you put in the fan bearing will inevitably find it's way out and onto your other components so you'll want to make sure it's a non conductive oil and that you don't mind small splashes of oil over your components.

By all means go ahead an lubricate with the appropriate oil but take the opportunity to source a replacement fan solution, which might be tricky if it's a blower type graphics fan.
 
Slightly off topic, but i had a few sharkoon silent eagle fans a while back. Took them out to clean them and noticed what looked like oil on the frame of one. Needless to say i binned it.
 
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